That matte lipstick stacks years on a face is a common perception. I think it's because matte lipstick didn't come in fun colours the way it does now -- hello, Joe Fresh Fuchsia and Poppy, and Stila Longwear Lip Color in Outrageous, for example. And hey-you to this bright-but-not-fuchsia one, which glides on surprisingly smoothly, by the way.

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Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in Evil Pink ($36) is pretty comfortable; its formula is infused with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Still, after a couple of hours it does start to feel a bit dry and to break up a little on the lips.

That aside, take note: when the colour is bright and fun, matte is not the aging agent it used to be.

Shu Uemura is available at Holt Renfrew. Shades, front to back: Evil Pink, Brilliant Gold -- use it to top another shade, or on its own -- Angelic Pink, Darling Beige and Alluring Brown. Watch for Sensual Red in an upcoming issue of The Kit.